Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand - Andrew and Victoria Knopp are the duo that make up Vancouver based indie-pop act, The Response. Their dynamic live show has allowed the duo to share the stage with such acts as Baio (of Vampire Weekend fame), Deep Sea Diver (Seattle), Big Scary (Australia) and Kate Boy (Sweden).

After releasing their third full length album ‘North of Nowhere’ in 2014 the pair packed a suit case and headed for Canada where they have been working on new material, including singles ‘You Wanted to Go’ and ‘Hours’. Produced independently, all duties from writing, recording, mixing and mastering to artwork are undertaken by the resourceful pair.

The Response wields a wide range of sounds, from reverb drenched banjo to synth pop and fuzzed-out guitars, brought together by a strong song-writing voice drawing influence from dominant indie acts such as Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire and Sufjan Stevens.

She’s spanking that drum machine in tight, perfect harmony and he’s patting pedals left, right and centre, singing with all the sweetness of a humble local folk hero, perfect notes falling from his guitar like spring flowers.

There is something incredibly wholesome yet alluring about The Response, their purity tempered with Vic’s absolute badassery on Glockenspiel, bass synth and drums, complemented by a regal, statue-like demeanour. Andy is the extrovert of the pair, charming the audience with witty stage banter.

When they sing together, the harmony is searing. They are simple, understated, yet powerful. Unashamedly Indie-Pop, and damn good at it too, they prefer a “hands off approach to songwriting”, mastering the art of seeing what emerges without trying too hard. “The good thing about being an Indie band in Christchurch is that not a lot of people are listening to your music”, Andy laughs, “so we can do this for us, really”. He believes that the best songs come out when you are “less involved, when it feels like something is working through you”. Their jazz school background is revealed in immaculate and cunning composition, far more sophisticated and subtle than your usual pop facade. The delicate and complex guitar work is injected by off the grid drumming and adorable percussive variation. I hear Liam Finn, Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire, and something new, something sweet, at times rocky, at times playful.

The production value on their new album North Of Nowhere is extremely high. I was surprised to learn it has been produced independently by this remarkable young couple that tackles everything from writing, recording, mastering and artwork. ‘No Way Out’ is a track that I have completely fallen in love with. It creates a ‘bubble’, a soothing, soul-warming haven from the chaos of the external world and it is gorgeous to come home to after a day full of jagged edges.